ESP PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1998 Owners Manual

Here Are Questions Many People Ask
About Safety Belts -- and the Answers
Won’t I be trapped in the vehicle after an
accident if I’m wearing a safety belt?
A: You could be -- whether you’re wearing a safety
belt or not. But you can unbuckle a safety belt,
even if you’re upside down. And your chance of
being conscious during and after an accident,
so
you can unbuckle and get out, is much greater if
you are belted.
&.’ If my vehicle has air bags, why should I have to
A: Air bags are in many vehicles today and will be
in most of them in the future. But they are
supplemental systems only;
so they work with
safety belts -- not instead of them. Every air bag
system ever offered for sale has required the use
of
safety belts. Even if you’re in a vehicle that has air
bags, you still have
to buckle up to get the most
protection. That’s true not only in frontal collisions, but especially in side and other collisions.
wear safety belts?
@ If I’m a good driver, and I never drive far from
home, why should I wear safety belts?
A: You may be an excellent driver, but if you’re in an
accident
-- even one that isn’t your fault -- you
and your passengers can be
hurt. Being a good
driver doesn’t protect you from things beyond your
control, such as bad drivers.
Most accidents occur within
25 miles (40 km)
of home. And the greatest number of serious
injuries and deaths occur at speeds of less than
40 mph (65 km/h).
Safety belts are for everyone.
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Door Locks
A CAU-ION:
I
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers
-- especially children -- can easily
open the doors and fall out. When
a door is
locked, the inside handle won’t open
it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an unlocked
door when you slow down or stop your vehicle.
This may not be so obvious: You increase the
chance of being thrown out
of the vehicle in a
crash
if the doors aren’t locked. Wear safety belts
properly, lock your doors, and you
will be far
better off whenever you drive your vehicle.
There are several ways to lock
and unlock your vehicle.
From the outside, use
your door key. If your vehicle has
the Content Theft-Deterrent System and it is med,
unlocking and opening a door this way will set off the
alarm. See “Content Theft-Deterrent System” in the Index.

L
To lock the door from the inside, slide the lock control
on the door rearward.
To unlock the door, slide the lock control on the
door
forward.
2-4 ’

Operation AlarWanic Mode
The driver’s door will unlock automatically when
UNLOCK is pressed. If UNLOCK is pressed again
within five seconds, the passenger’s door will also
unlock. All doors will lock when LOCK is pressed.
The hatch will unlock when the button with
REAR 2X
is pressed twice within five seconds, as long as the
ignition is turned to
OFF. If the ignition is on, the
REAR 2X button will only work if the transmission is in
PARK (P) for an automatic transmission, or if the
parking brake is set on a manual
transmission.
The system will turn on the interior lamps for about 40
seconds (or until the ignition is turned to RUN), when
you unlock the doors or hatch. The interior lamps will
go off when you lock the doors.
Operating the remote keyless entry transmitter may
interact with the Content Theft-Deterrent System (if you
have
this option). See “Content Theft-Deterrent System”
in the Index.
If you are involved in a panic situation, press the horn
symbol button on your remote keyless entry transmitter
and your vehicle’s
horn will sound and the parking lamps
will flash. This will draw needed attention to you and your
vehicle.
To turn this feature off, either push the horn
symbol button again or turn the ignition to ON. Note: This
feature will not work if your ignition is on or if the key
fob is
30 feet (9 m) or more away from your vehicle.
Synchronization
Synchronization may be necessary due to the security
method used by the remote keyless entry system. The
transmitter does not send the same signal twice to the
receiver. The receiver
will not respond to a signal it has
been sent previously. This prevents anyone from recording
and playing back the signal hm the transmitter.
To resynchronize the transmitter with the receiver, stand
close to your vehicle, and at the same time press and
hold the
LOCK and UNLOCK buttons on the
transmitter for about eight seconds. The door locks
should cycle and the parking lamps should flash to
confirm synchronization. If this does not happen, you
may need to replace the battery
in your transmitter or
match the transmitter to your vehicle.
2-8

Transmitter Verification (If Equipped)
This feature provides feedback to the holder of the
remote keyless entry transmitter that a command has
been received by the Remote Lock Receiver. The parking lamps will flash on every lock and unlock
command and the horn will sound only if the LOCK
button
is pressed twice within five seconds. This allows
for silent operation of locking and unlocking unless
a
confirming horn chirp is desired. Other options may be
selected
for this feature (see “Feature Customization” in
the Index).
Matching Transmitter(s) To Your Vehicle
Each remote keyless entry transmitter is coded to
prevent another transmitter
from unlocking your vehicle.
If a transmitter is lost
or stolen, a replacement can be
purchased through your dealer. Remember to bring any
remaining transmitters with you when you go to your
dealer. When the dealer matches the replacement
transmitter to your vehicle, any remaining transmitters
must also be matched. Once your dealer has coded
the
new transmitter, the lost transmitter will not unlock your
vehicle. Each vehicle can have only four transmitters
matched
to it.
Have each transmitter you intend to match ready for the
next steps.
To match transmitters to your vehicle:
1. Turn the ignition to RUN, then to OFF. This will
disarm the Content Theft-Deterrent System (if your
vehicle has this option).
2. Remove the RADIO fuse. This fuse is located in the
main fuse block, which is located
on the left side of
your instrument panel. The RADIO fuse is located
on the lower right hand corner of the panel. See
“Fuses and Circuit Breakers”
in the Index.
3. Turn the ignition fi-om OFF to RUN three times quickly
(within five seconds). The vehicle
will respond by
locking the
doors, unlocking the driver’s door and
releasing the hatch. Your transmitter is now ready to
match your vehicle. Leave the ignition in RUN.
4. Press and hold the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons on
the first transmitter for up to
15 seconds. The vehicle
will respond as in Step
3.
5. Repeat Step 4 for the remaining transmitters.
6. When you have finished matching all of your
transmitters, replace
the RADIO fuse.
7. Check that all transmitters work by pressing their buttons.
If the transmitters don’t work, or if you’d rather not
match the transmitters yourself, see your Pontiac dealer.

Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has
a number of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put
on it can make it
impossible to steal. However, there
are ways you
can help.
Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it’s an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves
-- so
don’t do it.
When you park your vehicle and open the driver’s door,
you’ll hear a chime reminding you to remove your key
from the ignition and take it with you. Always do this.
Your steering wheel will be locked, and so will your
ignition.
If you have an automatic transmission, taking
your key out also locks your transmission. And
remember to lock the doors.
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables out of sight.
Put them in a storage area, or take them with you.
Parking Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching
your vehicle, it’s best to lock it up and take your keys.
But what
if you have to leave your ignition key?
0
0
0
0
0
0
If possible, park in a busy, well lit area.
Put your valuables in a storage area, like your
hatch or glove box.
Be sure to close and lock the
storage area.
Close
all windows.
Lock the glove box.
Lock
all the doors except the driver’s.
Then take the door key and remote keyless entry
transmitter with you.
2-13

To program features, your vehicle must be in the
programming mode. Follow these steps:
1. Put your key
in the ignition.
2. Turn the ignition to RUN to disarm the Content
Theft-Deterrent System.
3. Turn the ignition to OFF.
4. Remove the RADIO fuse. This fuse is in the main
fuse block, located on the left side of your
instrument panel. See “Fuses and Circuit Breakers”
in the Index.
5. Turn the ignition to ACC.
You should hear a chime to verify that the system is
in the programming mode. If the chime sounds once,
you will be able to program Exit Lighting, Delayed
Illumination, Last Door Closed Locking and Lockout
Prevention only.
If the chime sounds twice and your
vehicle is equipped with the Content Theft-Deterrent
System, you will also be able to program Remote
Keyless Entry Lock Control Verification, Arming
Method, Arming Verification, Driver’s Door Delay and Shock Sensor Enable.
Exit Lighting and Delayed Illumination
With Exit Lighting, your interior lamps will come
on for up to
25 seconds when the key is removed
from the ignition.
With Delayed Illumination, your interior lamps will stay on for up to
25 seconds when entering your vehicle and
up to five seconds when leaving your vehicle.
Your vehicle comes with both features enabled (Mode 4).
To change the factory setting, do the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Turn the courtesy lamps on by turning the instrument
panel brightness control knob all the way up.
Count the number of chimes you hear. The number
of chimes tells you which mode your vehicle is
set for.
Turn the courtesy lamp switch to
off.
Turn the courtesy lamp switch from on to off until
you hear the number of chimes that correspond to the
mode selection you want.
Mode 1: Both Off
Mode 2: Delayed Illumination Only
Mode 3: Exit Lighting Only
Mode 4: Both On

Last Door Closed Locking and
Lockout Prevention
Your vehicle comes with this feature set in Mode 2. To
change the factory setting, do the following:
1. Press the LOCK switch
on the door.
2. Count the number of chimes you hear. The number of
chimes tells you which mode your vehicle is set for.
3. Press the LOCK switch on the door until you hear
the number
of chimes that correspond to the mode
selection you want.
These features are designed to help prevent your keys
from being locked in your vehicle.
Mode 1: Both Off (Doors will lockhnlock when you
press the power door lock switch.)
Mode 2: Lockout Prevention Only (If you leave your keys
in the ignition and get out the driver’s door, you won’t be
able to lock the doors with the power door lock switch.)
Mode 3: Last Door Closed Locking Only (If the power
door lock switch is used to lock the vehicle while any
door is open, you will hear three chimes. The doors will
not lock until after all doors are closed.)
Mode 4: Both On (This combines Mode 2 and 3.)
Remote Keyless Entry Lock Verification
Your vehicle comes with this feature set in Mode 5. To
change the factory setting, do the following:
1. Press the UNLOCK button on the remote keyless
entry transmitter.
2. Count the number of chimes you hear. The number
of chimes tells you which mode your vehicle is
set for.
3. Press the UNLOCK button on the remote keyless
entry transmitter until you hear the number
of
chimes that corresponds to the mode selection
you want.
This feature provides feedback when the vehicle
receives a command from the remote keyless
entry transmitter.

Mode 1: All Off (The headlamps will not flash and the
horn
will not sound to provide you feedback that a
lockhnlock command has been received by the remote
keyless entry transmitter.)
Mode 2: Horn and Lamps/Lamps (Your horn will sound
briefly and your parking lamps will flash when you press
LOCK on the remote keyless entry transmitter. Only your parking lamps will flash when you press UNLOCK.)
Mode 3: Horn and Lamps (Your horn will sound briefly
and your parking lamps will flash every time you press
LOCK or UNLOCK.)
Mode 4: Lamps (Your parking lamps will flash every
time you press LOCK or UNLOCK.)
Mode 5: LampdHorn and LampdLamps (Your lamps will
flash upon the first press on LOCK, your lamps will flash
and your horn will sound upon the second press on LOCK
and your lamps will flash upon any press on
UNLOCK.)
Theft-Deterrent Arming Method
Your vehicle comes with this feature set in Mode 3. To
change the factory setting,
do the following:
1. Press the UNLOCK switch on the door.
2. Count the number of chimes you hear. The number
of chimes tells you which mode your vehicle is
set for.
3. Press the UNLOCK switch on the door until you
hear the number of chimes that correspond to the
mode selection you want.
Mode 1: Alarm System Off (The system will not arm.)
Mode 2: Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter Lock
(When you lock your doors using the remote keyless
entry transmitter, the system will arm itself.)
Mode 3: Remote Keyless Entry TransmitterPower
Door Lock Switch
(If you use either the remote keyless
entry transmitter or the power
door lock switch to lock
the doors, the system will
arm itself.)
Mode 4: Passive Arming and Remote Keyless Entry
TransmitterPower Door Lock Switch Arming (The
system will
arm itself after all doors are closed plus
arming per Mode
3).
2-21

Theft-Deterrent Arming Verification
Your vehicle comes with this feature set in Mode 3. To
change the factory setting, do the following:
1. Press the LOCK button on the remote keyless
entry transmitter.
2. Count the number of chimes you hear. The number of
chimes
tells you which mode your vehicle is set for.
3. Press the LOCK button on the remote keyless entry
transmitter until you hear the number of chimes that
corresponds to the
mode selection you want.
Mode 1: All Off (No horn chrrps or parking lamp flash.)
Mode 2: Horn and Lamps (Your parking lamps will
flash and your horn will chirp twice to verify the system
is armed using any arming method.)
Mode 3: Horn and LampsLamps (If you use the remote
keyless entry transmitter to
arm the system, your
parking lamps will flash and your horn will chup twice
to verify that the system is armed.
If it only chqs once,
the hatch is open or unlatched. If you use either the
power door lock switch or passive arming, only your
lamps will flash for verification.)
Mode 4: Lamps (When your vehicle arms, only your
parking lamps will flash for verification.)
Driver’s Door Alarm Delay and Shock
Sensor Enable
Your vehicle comes with this feature set in Mode 4. To
change the factory setting, do the following:
1. Turn the parking lamps on and off.
2. Count the number of chimes you hear. The number of
chimes
tells you which mode your vehicle is set for.
3. Turn the parking lamps on and off until you hear the
number of chimes that corresponds to the mode
selection you want.
Mode 1: Zero Delay and Shock Sensor Disabled (The
alarm will sound immediately if the driver’s door is
opened with your key and the shock sensor will not be
available to measure sharp blows to your vehicle.)
Mode 2: Eight-Second Delay and Shock Sensor
Disabled (The
alarm will sound eight seconds after the
driver’s door is opened with your key and the shock
sensor will not be available to measure sharp blows to
your vehicle.)
2-22

Headlamp Doors Daytime Running Lamps
The headlamp doors are designed to open when you turn
the headlamps
on and close when
you turn the
headlamps off. The headlamp doors can
be opened
without turning on the headlamps by turning the
headlamps on, then turning the switch back to the
parking lamps position.
The headlamp doors should
be open when driving in
icy or snowy conditions to prevent the doors from
freezing closed, and when washing the vehicle to help
clean the headlamps.
You can open the headlamp doors manually:
1. Open the hood.
2. Remove the plastic cover from the retractor
motor knob.
3. Turn the retractor motor knob counterclockwise until
the headlamp door
is fully open. The knob will get
harder to turn when the headlamp door
is all the
way up.
4. Replace the plastic cover on the retractor motor knob. Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make
it easier for
others to
see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset.
For Canadian vehicles, a light sensor on top of the
instrument panel automatically turns the headlamps on,
so be sure it isn’t covered.
The DRL system will make your front turn signal lamps
come on when:
0 The ignition is on,
the headlamp switch is OFF,
0 the parking brake is released and
0 it is bright enough outside (on Canadian vehicles).
To manually close the headlamp doors, turn the lamps
off and turn the retractor motor knob clockwise. If the
headlamp doors aren’t working properly, see your dealer
for help.
2-53